Hi Contendah,
I don't know about "New Calvinism" -- but, I do know that in the past 20-30 years, the SBC has become more infested with Calvinism. I would guesstimate that about half their seminaries today teach Calvinism.
And, you are right that many Calvinist will deny teaching the Calvinist TULIP doctrines, claiming that they teach "doctrines of grace." But, if one examines this "doctrines of grace" you will find that it is just TULIP without the rouge.
I could never become involved with a church which teaches Calvinism; for as I told the pastor of a local Calvinist church who asked me to become a member of his fellowship -- "If I joined your church, we would be disagreeing at most Bible studies."
There is another local church in my area where I have many Friends. Watching their young people on Facebook, I am excited about the on-fire spiritual fervor I see there. But, again, I could never join them -- because I could never accept the teaching of Calvinist predestination.
My wife began a Wednesday Bible at the home of a close Friend who belongs to that Calvinist church. The father has advanced Alzheimer's and often the mother cannot go to church. So, my wife decided to take church to her home. The Bible study is made up of Friends from several local churches and once they got it started, I joined them.
The lady is a strong Calvinist believer -- and knows that I am not. So, we solve our problem by avoiding any discussion which may lead into Calvinism. We are going through the book of John and when we came to John 3, it was my time to lead the discussion. I will admit that I was concerned that this particular portion of Scripture would get us into Calvinism -- but, we avoided it and had a great discussion. Next week I will lead as we begin chapter 7.
All that said, although I am not a Calvinist nor an Arminian -- those believers who hold those beliefs are just as saved as any other Christian.
Dark, you asked about the Campbellites.
Viewing the following web site, it would seem that the Campbellites lean toward Arminianism, i.e, the belief that a true believer can lose his/her salvation. This web site http://www.aplaintalk.com/campbellites.html tells us:
What is the “Campbellite” theology of salvation?
We believe, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” This is a true statement, but it is far from complete. To often we have focused on that and have rightly been criticized for neglecting other factors. A more complete statement, I believe, is,”Salvation is by the grace of God through faith which obeys (repents and is baptized) through love.”
So, basically, it seems the Campbellites do believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. But, to make this claim, they have chosen to add to the passage found in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
God says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. . ."
Campbellites change that to read, ”Salvation is by the grace of God through faith which obeys (repents and is baptized)."
In other words, they have added "works" to attain salvation where God did not include "works." As a matter of fact, God tells us salvation is a "free gift" from Him -- and "not as a result of works.
The Angelfire web site http://www.angelfire.com/fl/Lo.../ChurchOfChrist.html explains a bit more about the Campbellite doctrines:
Doctrinal Errors:
While there are many doctrinal issues that divide the Evangelical from the Campbellite, the greatest point of controversy is their view of baptism.
The Evangelical believes that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Human works such as baptism, church membership, etc., are not necessary for salvation. . . Baptism, like circumcision, is an outward rite that symbolizes an inner state. While both ceremonies symbolize regeneration, they do not accomplish it.
In opposition to evangelical doctrine, Campbellite theology teaches "baptismal regeneration." It is claimed that water baptism by immersion of adults only unto remission of sins does not merely symbolize regeneration, but it actually accomplishes it.
So, for a long time I have shared Contendah's concern that the Southern Baptist Convention is moving too much toward Calvinism. That is why when I get involved with a church which is affiliated with the SBC, the first question I ask the pastor is, "Do you believe and teach Calvinism, i.e., Calvinist predestination?" But, sadly, what I have often found is that the pastor will either ignore the question -- or will turn to the "doctrines of grace" defense. In either case, while I will fellowship with them, I keep an arm's length separation.
For the sake of the discussion, the church I attend is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference -- which does not lean toward Calvinism at all.
Watching a video today which a Friend posted on Facebook (and I still have not been able to determine who the man is or with which church he is affiliated) -- I was concerned when he lumped all Baptists into one group -- the Baptists. When in fact, there are hundreds of different Baptist denominations -- ranging from very conservative, like the church where I was saved -- to radical off-the-chart characters such as the Westboro Baptist folks who are affiliated with the Independent Baptist denomination.
But, the man made a statement which caught my attention. He said, "Jesus was not a Baptist!"
And, to that I proclaim, loudly, "Amen! Amen! Amen!"
Jesus Christ gave us the Christian church, the Day of Pentecost church, the body of Christian believers world-wide. He did not give us any denominations -- not any of the Protestant denominations, nor the Roman Catholic church. He gave us the body of believers.
Then, man began to corrupt what Christ had given us. When one group did not like what was being taught, they went off and formed a new fellowship to teach what fit their agenda. This is true of the church of Rome --and it is true of all Protestant denominations.
I like the Baptist General Conference because their Statement of Beliefs aligns very closely with my own personal Statement of Beliefs.
Yet, when someone asks me about our church, I will say we are a Christian church and will share with them what we believe and teach. If the person or persons push and insist upon knowing our affiliation, I will tell them we are Baptist. But, I always put Christian first -- then, add Baptist under duress. Not that I am ashamed of being a Baptist; only that I feel the true church is only Christian.
It is not Calvinist, it is not Arminian, it is not Roman Catholic, it is not Baptist, nor Methodist, nor Lutheran, nor Presbyterian -- nor any other man-made denomination. The true church is Christian -- only. And, one day, that status will be returned and renewed -- when Christ rules during the Millennial Kingdom of God on earth.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill